My name is Steve McNamara and I am a Conservative borough councillor for Howlands ward.
I’ve lived in Welwyn Garden City since retiring from the Royal Air Force as a Wing Commander, after 40 years of service. My first ‘civilian’ home was just behind Woodhall shops, and I still live in Welwyn Garden City now. I work as a freelance emergency and crisis response consultant - it is an interesting time to be in that line of work! I believe that in order to represent an area at local council, you need to have some sort of emotional stake in it yourself. My work has taken me all over the world, but Welwyn Garden City is the place in which I’ve enjoyed living the most.
That is the kind of emotional stake I’m talking about - my desire to make sure you and all of my neighbours get the best from the local council is the reason why I stood for election. I’ve had some success in working with Grant Shapps MP to address persistent flooding issues in Wellcroft Close, as well as some other specific issues residents have had.
When I was knocking on doors last year (pre-COVID, of course), quite a few people mentioned they’ve not seen a local councillor out knocking on doors for quite some time. I want to change that; I believe if you’re in the position of representing an area you have a duty to make a real effort to get to know the people who put you there.
I am proud to be part of the Welwyn Garden City South Conservative team - along with borough councillors Nick Pace, Stan Tunstall and county councillors Marios Artemi and Fiona Thomson. We are particularly keen to make sure that anti-social behaviour at King George V Playing Fields is curbed, so local families can take it back and use it for themselves.
So if there is ever anything you would like to discuss, I would love to meet up to discuss any Welwyn Garden City issues or opinions you may have.